BRM90130-X metal-acrylic

The BRM90130-X can both cut ferro and non-ferro materials. In the text below you will find more information about the difference in nozzles, lenses and lens-positions. The machine comes with three different nozzles. The first nozzle is the 1.5mm nozzle. This means the hole in the nozzle is 1.5mm wide.  This nozzle is used for cutting metal. This nozzle allows less oxygen to come through. This results in a sharper, thin line. However, the mirror- and lens-alignment is very precise because the laserbeam has to go through the exact middle of the nozzle to achieve the best result.

The second nozzle is the 2mm nozzle. This means the hole in the nozzle is 2mm wide.
This nozzle is also used to cut metal. This nozzle allows more oxygen to go through than the 1.5mm nozzle. This means the cut is less sharp with the 2mm nozzle.  However, because the hole in the nozzle is slightly bigger, it is also slightly easier to have a good mirror- and lens-alignment.

Left: 1.5mm nozzle. Right: 2mm nozzle.

The third nozzle is the 3mm nozzle. This nozzle is used to cut non-ferro materials such as acrylics and wood. The nozzle looks slightly like a UFO, a tip with a larger disc around it. It is not possible to use this nozzle for metals!

3mm nozzle.

Not only do you use a different nozzle for ferro and non-ferro materials, there is also a difference in lenses and lens cartridges.

The ferro-lens is the 63.5mm lens with a diameter of 25mm. This means the lens has a slightly larger lens cartridge.

The non-ferro lens is the 101.6mm lens with a diameter of 20mm. The lens is placed in a lens cartridge with a smaller opening. It is possible to use a 63.5mm lens as well but this is not common.

Left: Cartridge for ferro-lens.  Right: Cartridge for non-ferro lens.

The lens cartridge is placed in the laserhead. There are two slots in the laserhead. One for the lens cartridge, the other slot holds an empty cartridge. This empty cartridge is necessary because it keeps dust and smoke off of the lens. It is also there to make sure the oxygen and air do not escape through the empty slot. If the oxygen escapes, the cut will not be good. 

The ferro-lens is placed in the larger cartridge. Place the cartridge in the bottom slot. Place the dummy cartridge in the top slot. Make sure to place the right nozzle onto the laserhead, either the 1.5mm or the 2mm nozzle. Screw the nozzle onto the laserhead. Don’t screw it on too tightly, this is not necessary. 

Ferro cartridge is located in the bottom position.

When using the non-ferro option, the 101.6mm lens is placed in the lens cartridge with the smaller opening. The cartridge is placed in the top position in the laserhead. The empty cartridge is placed in the bottom position. Make sure to place the right nozzle onto the laserhead. This should be the 3mm nozzle, the more UFO shaped nozzle. Don’t screw the nozzle on too tightly, this is not necessary.

Non-ferro cartridge is located in the bottom position.

If you are using the 63.5mm lens (non-ferro), the lens is placed in the lens cartridge with the smaller slot. Place the cartridge in the bottom position and place the empty cartridge in the top position. Make sure you are using the non-ferro, 3mm, nozzle.

Acrylic to metal. Turn on the machine. Make sure the Metal-Acrylic switch is on Metal. On the BRM Original you will find the switch on the switch panel on the right hand side of the machine. Place the ferro-nozzle and lens- cartridge. Press ‘Follow Adjust’ on the switch panel. Follow Adjust will make sure the right focus will be used when cutting. Open the oxygen on the oxygen tank.

You can now cut metal with the machine. Make sure you are only cutting stainless steel and steel, with a maximum thickness of 1.2mm. It is not possible to cut, for instance, copper, aluminium, brass, etcetera.

If the machine seems to weld in stead of cut, try to adjust the parameters. The speed, power, oxygen might are not optimal when the machine seems to weld. 

It is not possible to engrave any material when you are working in the Metal mode!

Metal to acrylic. Turn on the machine. Make sure the Metal-acrylic switch is on Acrylic. Place the non-ferro nozzle and non-ferro lens cartridge. Adjust the focus height by, carefully, moving the table up or down. Be really careful, a collision can occur when you do not pay attention and this will cause a lot of damage! When you are using the acrylic mode you don’t need oxygen.

It is possible to engrave acrylics, wood and metals while using the Acrylic mode. If you want to engrave a metal plate, please use a marking-spray such as CerMark. If you do not use a spray, you can damage the machine and the lasertube due to the reflection of the laserbeam.